Dibrugarh: Assam Chai Bazaar held its maiden tea auction in Dibrugarh on Friday, bringing organised tea trading closer to upper Assam’s tea-producing region.The auction was attended by Tea Board India executive director (North Eastern Zonal Office) Arunita Phukan Yadav, former chairperson Prabhat Bezboruah, Assam Tea Planters Association chairperson Samudra Prasad Barooah and Assam Chai Bazaar representatives.Yadav said the centre should follow Tea Board India rules and pan-India auction directives. She said Auction Organiser Licence was issued on July 18 and the first auction was held within about two months. She urged the organisers to bring more buyers to improve competition and price discovery.The auction received support from 18 buyers, though Hindustan Unilever Limited and some others could not participate because of technical issues.The CTC Leaf sale comprised 175 lots containing 1,48,531 kg; 61.33% was sold at an average of Rs 206 per kg. In the CTC Dust category, 83 lots containing 74,693.5 kg were offered; 63.16% was sold at about Rs 210 per kg. The combined average price was about Rs 207 per kg.The response and prices were “extremely encouraging”, said representative Deven Singh. Assam Chai Bazaar is a brokerless digital platform.
